The project aims to strengthen the local adaptive capacity of Huong Phong by promoting the integrated management of natural resources, including the mangroves, agrobiodiversity (indigenous salinity tolerant rice varieties chien den and chien trang), water and land resources.
The project has achieved the following specific results:
? Developing a map of natural resources and plans for the commune, adopting integrated management of natural resources, taking into consideration the impact of climate change on ecosystems and sustainable socio-economic development of the commune. This provides a key management tool to the commune and is substantively used by the commune.
? Traditional knowledge in disaster prevention is documented, as a basis for the design and application of adaptation measures.
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? The 5ha mangrove forest of Ru Cha, the only existing mangrove in the Tam Giang Cau Hai lagoon, is better protected with the strong participation of the community. A mangrove nursery with an area of 200m2 is built and managed by the community. 10,000 mangrove trees are planted in aquaculture ponds and along the banks for anti-erosion. The project has tested four (4) varieties of mangrove plants. Although testing results are limited with low survival rate, the project has provided many practical lessons learned which are essential for the rehabilitation of mangroves and the strategy for the protection and sustainable management of ecosystems in Tam Giang Cau Hai lagoon. The most remarkable results of mangrove-related activities is to raise awareness and understanding of the local people and mobilize them to actively plant mangrove trees. The district authority has a plan to rehabilitate mangrove forests with an area of 70ha in the region.

? Successfully testing of the adaptation model in rice-fish model with two (2) indigenous salinity tolerant rice varieties chien den and chien trang, mixed aquaculture of fish and shrimp, and capacity building activities for local people on community eco-tourism for livelihood and income diversification. Specific results of the models are as follows:
- Rice-fish model: tested in an area of 4 ha, 7 households, profits increased by 4.574 million VND/ha (compared to mono-cultivation of rice before the project).
- Two (2) indigenous salinity tolerant rice varieties chien den and chien trang was purified for improving rice quality and productivity, contributing to the conservation of these 2 varieties for adapting to the increased salinisation in the project area. The model was tested in an area of 16ha in 4 crops (4ha/crop), seed volume selected after two years of implementation was 835kg of chien den and 773 kg of chien trang. Yield, productivity, average profit in the project model increased by 18% compared to those before the project. Thanks to the success, the People's Committee of Huong Tra District has mainstreamed this model in their agricultural extension programs and invested 30 million VND to continue the activity.
- Mixed aquaculture model (shrimp and fish): tested in an area of 4ha, 8 participating households, the average profit of 40 million - 50 million/ha. Due to the risks of shrimp monoculture in recent years with diseases and additional CC impacts, 100% of the participating households are committed to continue this model after the project ends. Local authorities have also planned for replicating this model in their localities.


The project has successful experimented the effective adaptive farming technique, including:
? Developing a nursery and making mangrove seedlings and planting mangrove in community aquaculture ponds and along the banks;
? Purifying indigenous salinity resistant rice varieties of chien den and chien trang.
? Techniques in rice-fish cultivation and mixed aquaculture.

Capacity for community ecotourism is strengthened thanks to the project trainings. Local community is well aware of the protection of mangroves for addressing CC impacts as well as developing a new sustainable livelihoods option.

Community adaptive capacity in agriculture production and protection and sustainable use of mangroves in the project area is significantly enhanced that is very strategic for effective application of adaptive measures (Figure 3). Community also has a better understanding and knowledge on CC issues, especially the real impact in their localities and the adaptive measures. Equipped with the technical adaptive measures, the participating farmers are now proactively coping with the natural disasters and salinisation in rice cultivation and aquaculture.

The effective adaptive farming techniques in mangrove planting, rice cultivation and aquaculture described above are documented in the project technical materials which will be reviewed by a technical board before providing to the local authority for wide dissemination.

The project has conducted surveys and workshops to develop a replication plan. Results show that the project models are accepted by the community and potential for high sustainability and replication in the project commune. Natural disasters, salinisation and diversification of income due to the overexploitation of Tam Giang Cau Hai lagoon resources are the typical CC impact issues and therefore, it is very potential for project replication in the similar areas. Especially, the project provides with lessons learned in mobilizing community in mangrove rehabilitation in the lagoon which is very vital for the adaptation in enhancing resilience of the lagoon ecosystem.

In order for a successful replication and upscaling, it is very strategic in terms of mainstream and replicate the project results in the local programme through a local policy which support the replication of the project adaptation measures. Therefore, the project will recommend the relevant policy issues to the local authority after documentation of these adaptive techniques and lessons learned.

Results of the project final evaluation show that the project has achieved all the objectives and expected results stated in the project document. The results of the project show that the project adaptation measures to natural disasters and salinisation in rice cultivation and aquaculture are appropriate and effective, and therefore accepted by the local authority and community. The project adaptation measures are very suitable for Huong Phong commune in particular and many other communes in the lagoon in general. The project has provided a successful adaptation model in the coastal lagoon ecosystem and contributes to the implementation of the provincial action plan to respond to climate change.